Should Reiki teachers bond with their students?

Re: What makes a good Reiki Teacher?
by Pachamama on Wed Aug 17, 2011 7:02 pm........

It seems so many Reiki teachers teach differently!...some offer great teaching resources, advice and support....others offer very little..

After I received my first Reiki
attunment, my RMT made herself
available through phone/email.
I did make use of that generous
offer. I also tapped into other
Reiki resources, books and Reiki
forums/shares where I was able to
enhance my ULFE with other Reiki
practitioners.

Over the years I have come across new
Reiki Practitioners who have not bonded,
lost touch with their RMT,or got their
Reiki certifcate off the internet with
no Reiki follow up support.

If a Reiki practitioner finds themselves
without the support of their RMT, what
suggestions do RLL members have for
those who are without RMT support.

Hi Bridget

In the first instance, I would suggest they try to get in touch with any fellow students of the same RMT to share experiences. Of course there are also on-line discussion groups and fora like Reiki Learning Lounge, which can be a great place to ask questions, learn and share experiences! Facebook groups are also good for finding other Reiki practitioners in your area.

Attending, or starting a Reiki share/circle/meetup is another option.

Colin wrote:Hi Bridget

In the first instance, I would suggest they try to get in touch with any fellow students of the same RMT to share experiences. Of course there are also on-line discussion groups and fora like Reiki Learning Lounge, which can be a great place to ask questions, learn and share experiences! Facebook groups are also good for finding other Reiki practitioners in your area.

Attending, or starting a Reiki share/circle/meetup is another option.

Good suggestions Colin. Connecting with
students of the same RMT is one I over-
looked.

Yeah, i find it a little un-nerving folks dont have, or at least feel they dont have the support of their teacher. I've been very fortunate to have immense support from my own RMT.

It's important that folks can walk their own path. And it can be too easy for some to maybe unwittenly get into a heirarchy. At the same time - for me there must be support for every single person i've bene involved with. It's a reasn why lineage is important. Or at least is to me.

warmest wishes
Wayne

I am only new in Reiki but I have the strong feeling that my Reiki teacher is not there for me (did not reply to my email and was eventually reluctant to answer a question I had, after that I just gave up with asking him and I went onto the internet to get answers).

Also, I met up with another student, just like Colin here above suggested, and that worked well, gave me much more confidence and I really experienced for the first time what the Reiki warmth was and that I too could give it to others ...

It feels a bit strange to not have the person who attuned me, to whom I went for Reiki teachings, but I will not go back and feel put out in the cold again! That is why I am happy to be here and to learn from you all.

We're welcome to have ya here! Did you be up-front with your feelings toward your teacher? There may be many reasons for their response. Ranging from wanting you to find your own answers to not knowing the answer.

Like all individuals, we are, well - individual. . This includes the way we interact with one another. Social sceince exists me. I cant understand the way humans are though. Off-topic, i look at Facebook today and see so many folks making jokes of the death of Whitney Houston. I wonder would they like it if i made jokes if their parent, or wife died. On facebook. People are really weird.

Out of interest, what kind of training did you have/ In-person or distance? Sorry if ya already told me. I talk with so many over this issue.

Godiva wrote:I am only new in Reiki but I have the strong feeling that my Reiki teacher is not there for me (did not reply to my email and was eventually reluctant to answer a question I had, after that I just gave up with asking him and I went onto the internet to get answers).

Also, I met up with another student, just like Colin here above suggested, and that worked well, gave me much more confidence and I really experienced for the first time what the Reiki warmth was and that I too could give it to others ...

It feels a bit strange to not have the person who attuned me, to whom I went for Reiki teachings, but I will not go back and feel put out in the cold again! That is why I am happy to be here and to learn from you all.

Congatulations Godiva for reaching
out into the Reiki Community at large. You
should always feel comfortable when talking
to another Reiki practitioner regarding Reiki
questions no matter what level they have reached.

Practicing the 5 principles helps us to understand
the Universal strength that we call on when living
within the Reiki practice.

Just for today
Don't get angry.....
Don't worry.....
Be grateful.....
Work hard.....
Be kind to others.

make note of folks who post on
Reiki forums, are they practicing
these values when responding to
other Reiki folks postings.

Thank you Milarepa and Chi!
It was in person (I pm'd you earlier today Mila). There were several things that gave me the impression the door was not open to questions, even though it was said to us we could always email. Well, I understand if someone does not know the answer, but not even replying at all until I bring up the personal questions again is ehh quite forgetful.

Also, we never were taught these five principles, of course I read about them in books but never mentioning them seems to me a bit odd.

I do not want to expand here on the open forum too much on this, but I folllowed my feelings and that said: no, you need another teacher. I met another student who had similar feelings. we now practice together and have found a new teacher.

Things are working out then! Ya know i read your email earlier. Am about to respond but i been so busy today online. Havn't even got round to writing a new chapter in my book. As of yet.

No problem (don't worry!) Wayne that is fine.

Godiva wrote:Thank you Milarepa and Chi!
It was in person (I pm'd you earlier today Mila). There were several things that gave me the impression the door was not open to questions, even though it was said to us we could always email. Well, I understand if someone does not know the answer, but not even replying at all until I bring up the personal questions again is ehh quite forgetful.

Also, we never were taught these five principles, of course I read about them in books but never mentioning them seems to me a bit odd.

I do not want to expand here on the open forum too much on this, but I folllowed my feelings and that said: no, you need another teacher. I met another student who had similar feelings. we now practice together and have found a new teacher.

Good to hear you've hooked up
with another Reiki support person.
It takes time to practice the 5
principals.

Hi Wayne,

Milarepa wrote:
I cant understand the way humans are though. Off-topic, i look at Facebook today and see so many folks making jokes of the death of Whitney Houston. I wonder would they like it if i made jokes if their parent, or wife died. On facebook. People are really weird.

It goes without saying that people are unfathomable, yet your above statement goes beyond weird... People are really sick from lack of connectedness and lack of compassion. It seems these two things are in some ways dependant on each other...Where you find one you find the other.

Jim

Reikijim wrote: Hi Wayne,

Milarepa wrote:
I cant understand the way humans are though. Off-topic, i look at Facebook today and see so many folks making jokes of the death of Whitney Houston. I wonder would they like it if i made jokes if their parent, or wife died. On facebook. People are really weird.

It goes without saying that people are unfathomable, yet your above statement goes beyond weird... People are really sick from lack of connectedness and lack of compassion. It seems these two things are in some ways dependant on each other...Where you find one you find the other.

Jim

I'm not gonna slate FB, it's a brill tool for me. i see so much good on it. Folks posting pics of terrible things to at least bring it to global attention. these others things though. so de-sensitized.

Maybe it's too many sitcoms or something. Jeez. Let's get real. Whitney changed peoples moods, thoughts, desires = reality. By her music. Still will. So that entitles her to be dis-respected. Wow! Maybe i'm entering chris consciousness or something, but it's sad this.

Godiva, It is wonderful that you connected with another fellow Reiki practitioner and a new teacher. Learning for the human species is not a solo exercise as we get the most out of it when it is done in a group.

Reikijim, I thought I would add some information for your comment on the relationship between connectedness and compassion in regards to each other. Here on the RLL there is a post called, "If the symbols are for intent & focus...", where rzukic posted a url for a video done by a neuroscientist called VS Ramachandran. In it Dr. Ramachandran talks about mirror neurons and how we can feel what another is feeling if our skin is numbed. As others on that post pointed out, we are truly connected at that point. Underlying problem lies at the very heart of we are doing now, communicating. The evolution of the human brain is the story of human communication. As our prefrontal cortex evolved so did our capacity to develop language. The basis for language is the use of symbolism. A symbol being anything that can convey a thought, idea, or feeling using a sensory trigger (think the five senses). Symbolism allows us to express complex ideas the problem comes when another human being becomes a symbol and not another human being. When a person becomes a symbol they are essentially an object and as such an object can be used, abused, and discarded without a second thought because they are not alive. To add insult to injury part of our learning is also rooted in this connectedness Dr. Ramachandran's work alluded to.

For those who are interested here are some links:

(11 min.) Dr VS Ramahcandran -- The neurons that shaped civilization
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0pwKzTRG5E

(53 min.) PBS - Nova - Ape Genius
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKbvzEjM_RE

(120 min.) Journey of Man a genetic Oddesy - Dr. Spencer Wells
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLh775nMBHQ

Reikiverse are you inclined to be
stronger in science than Reiki?

I wouldn't say that Chi_Solas. I was just pointing out some scientific information that maybe of use. Besides there was a time when science and spirit were one.

Reikiverse wrote:I wouldn't say that Chi_Solas. I was just pointing out some scientific information that maybe of use. Besides there was a time when science and spirit were one.

I was brought up in a strict religious
environment. I never thought of science
and religion/spirit being one.

Reikiverse wrote:Godiva, It is wonderful that you connected with another fellow Reiki practitioner and a new teacher. Learning for the human species is not a solo exercise as we get the most out of it when it is done in a group.

Reikijim, I thought I would add some information for your comment on the relationship between connectedness and compassion in regards to each other. Here on the RLL there is a post called, "If the symbols are for intent & focus...", where rzukic posted a url for a video done by a neuroscientist called VS Ramachandran. In it Dr. Ramachandran talks about mirror neurons and how we can feel what another is feeling if our skin is numbed. As others on that post pointed out, we are truly connected at that point. Underlying problem lies at the very heart of we are doing now, communicating. The evolution of the human brain is the story of human communication. As our prefrontal cortex evolved so did our capacity to develop language. The basis for language is the use of symbolism. A symbol being anything that can convey a thought, idea, or feeling using a sensory trigger (think the five senses). Symbolism allows us to express complex ideas the problem comes when another human being becomes a symbol and not another human being. When a person becomes a symbol they are essentially an object and as such an object can be used, abused, and discarded without a second thought because they are not alive. To add insult to injury part of our learning is also rooted in this connectedness Dr. Ramachandran's work alluded to.

For those who are interested here are some links:

(11 min.) Dr VS Ramahcandran -- The neurons that shaped civilization
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0pwKzTRG5E

(53 min.) PBS - Nova - Ape Genius
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKbvzEjM_RE

(120 min.) Journey of Man a genetic Oddesy - Dr. Spencer Wells
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLh775nMBHQ

Hi...

...and thank you for the information...It makes much sense...I will have a look at the links...

Jim

I was taught not to bond, although it was and sort of still is my natural inclination to do so. The reason being is that if I ever want to attain YOGA (which is different from reiki), I need to detach from everyone.

That being said, I find it difficult at times. I started by reaching out to reiki circles. I eventually branched on my own w/ the group I follow, but generally I'm the only active person in my lineage and sometimes a relative of mine follows. It's hard to not have other fellow students practicing (which is really a Yoga program for me than a reiki program), but I have to let go of the desire that 'others will be there for me', which we all know that in life, even our closest family members are not there when we need them the most. It's tough. So far the volunteering is working and I had some tough, but good, lesson of having to do this on my own without my relative. The love from Source pulled me through the loneliness and the meditation practices help since I'm pretty much alone in this where I'm at. Too many times I want to quit. Maybe it's a good sign of detaching for spiritual growth purposes because in the end, it's not about the students, the group, the teacher, it's about loving and trusting Source completely. This is just my experience.

water flower wrote:I was taught not to bond, although it was and sort of still is my natural inclination to do so. The reason being is that if I ever want to attain YOGA (which is different from reiki), I need to detach from everyone.

That being said, I find it difficult at times. I started by reaching out to reiki circles. I eventually branched on my own w/ the group I follow, but generally I'm the only active person in my lineage and sometimes a relative of mine follows. It's hard to not have other fellow students practicing (which is really a Yoga program for me than a reiki program), but I have to let go of the desire that 'others will be there for me', which we all know that in life, even our closest family members are not there when we need them the most. It's tough. So far the volunteering is working and I had some tough, but good, lesson of having to do this on my own without my relative. The love from Source pulled me through the loneliness and the meditation practices help since I'm pretty much alone in this where I'm at. Too many times I want to quit. Maybe it's a good sign of detaching for spiritual growth purposes because in the end, it's not about the students, the group, the teacher, it's about loving and trusting Source completely. This is just my experience.

Its all part of your journey

this happens with a lot of reiki teachers even here in India. but my numbers/ email is available on the net if one wants to google search it, and am ready to help guide anyone, student of mine or someone who has lost his/her reiki teacher:) i get calls to for help in interpretation/and for distant reiki etc .